Gatwick Airport: CAGNE relieved at Airports Commission report

Members of CAGNE present a letter at 10 Downing Street SUS-150324-135048001

Published:07:21Wednesday 01 July 2015

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Protestors fighting Gatwick expansion have reacted with relief to the recommendation of the Airports Commission for a new runway at Heathrow over Gatwick. Following a three year process, the national benefits of a third runway at Heathrow were found to far outweigh those at Gatwick.

Responding to the news, chair of CAGNE (Communities against Gatwick Noise and Emissions), Sally Pavey, said: “Gatwick expansion was a non-starter from the word go.

“The evidence clearly shows a second runway would be noisier for tens of thousands of local residents. Dirtier due to increased pollution and emission. Unforgiving on our local services and infrastructure. And would devastate the local environment and tranquil areas we have a duty to protect.

“If Gatwick really cared about the interests of the local community, they would stand aside, take-off and start to engage constructively about how the airport can play a stronger role in our local area and address the current issues with concentrated flight paths.”

Ian Hare of PAGNE, Pulborough Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions, said: “We are pleased that the Davies Commission has recognised the sound commercial arguments for opting for a further runway at Heathrow. Gatwick is a tourist airport, which is already contributing to over congestion the South East of England. The infrastructure needs from choosing Gatwick would have been enormous.

“The airport is already disrupting the lives of tens of thousands of residents who were previously unaffected by aircraft noise prior to the concentration of flight paths and the change in the way in which air traffic control manages arrivals. We now urge the Government to adopt the Davies commission recommendations.”

Reacting to speculation that Gatwick might pursue a legal challenge should the government support the recommendation, Mrs Pavey said: “Holding local people to ransom over something that is not in either the local or national interest, and lacks local and national support, it’s disgusting.

“Yet again, Gatwick has demonstrated that commercial greed trumps what is best for everyone else. We would strongly urge them to do what’s right for their local community and remove themselves from further consideration.”